Koi Perich, future Viking

[StickierBuns]

https://twitter.com/TPPSkol/status/1945548366105940267

The Purple Persuasion
@TPPSkol
"My dream was to play for the Vikings.  I would just skip through college if I could and just gone straight to the Vikings..but... ya gotta do your three years...and I'm willing to do it"

- Koi Perich Gophers Safety

[Watcher]

Just for fun and speculations sake, could a player skip the draft and go straight to being an UDFA?

[purplefaithful]

Kid is a hell of a player (already) and a really good person too by all accounts.

From lil olde Elko New Mkt...About 30 miles south of Mpls.

We need to upgrade at S b4 Koi is ready for playing Sundays.

But it would be cool to see him in Viking purple one day.

[badgervike]

Just for fun and speculations sake, could a player skip the draft and go straight to being an UDFA?

You have to be 3 years out of high school to be signed by the NFL.

[AGRforever]

Never heard of this guy but I'm sold. You get guys who want to play for you.

[medaille]

Just for fun and speculations sake, could a player skip the draft and go straight to being an UDFA?

Not really.  I think there's some special circumstances where you can skip the draft, like CFL players or maybe if you're a foreign rugby player, but for the most part everyone gets funneled into the draft and is subject to that process and you only get to be UDFA, if you went undrafted.

[purplefaithful]

By any measure, Koi Perich had a phenomenal first year with the Gophers. It began in December 2023, when he stuck with Minnesota for his collegiate destination despite a late push by Ohio State coach Ryan Day, whose Buckeyes would go on to win the 2025 College Football Playoff championship.

Once on the field, Perich showed he can be a game-changer.

His late-game interceptions sealed victories over USC and UCLA. His 60-yard punt return at Michigan helped the Gophers rally and nearly win at the Big House.

He had a 13-tackle game in a close loss to Penn State and capped the regular season with eight stops in a dominant victory at Wisconsin. His five interceptions led the Big Ten and tied for fourth nationally. Pro Football Focus gave him an 89.9 grade, the best among freshman safeties and sixth among all Power Four players at his position.

Indeed, Perich was killing it in 2024, but not only for his on-the-field exploits. Minnesota sports fans are quick to embrace a good story that involves an athlete from Minnesota. Perich burst on the scene as a four-star recruit receiving attention from the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State and USC. And when he said “yes” to Fleck and the Gophers, well, Perich had Minnesota fans at “hello.”

The signature moment: Perich’s interception of USC quarterback Miller Moss with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter, preserving the Gophers’ 24-17 win at Huntington Bank Stadium. Perich leaped to deny Trojans receiver Duce Robinson the ball in the end zone. After a victory formation kneel-down, fans stormed the field and hoisted Perich on their shoulders.

“That comes from your hometown, your home-state crowd,” said Danielle Perich, who was one of several members of the Esko contingent to storm the field. “He’s really proud to represent Minnesota.”

Koi appreciates the attention that has followed his standout freshman season, but he’s not dwelling on 2024. Why not?

“I haven’t done anything yet,” he said. “I have a lot more to do. I just have that mindset every day.”

Startribune

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game sealing pick vs USC...

[Mattyman]

Time has passed and the dust has settled.....it was a mistake by the FO to pass on Winfield jr.

It still pisses me off because all the signs and indicators were there.....

[MAD GAINZ]

Koi, we'll welcome you with open arms.

BOOM BOOM

SKOL